At least four people lost their lives and more than a dozen were injured when devastating tornadoes tore through the US state of Michigan on Friday.
In Branch County, situated in the state's southern region, three fatalities and 12 injuries were recorded after a tornado struck near Union City. A further death occurred in Cass County, roughly 80 kilometres away, where multiple injuries were also confirmed following a separate tornado.
Authorities in Cass County reported that numerous trees were brought down across roadways and onto buildings during the severe weather event. More than 500 residents have been left without electricity in the aftermath.
"Emergency management personnel will conduct damage assessments in the affected area as required by the state of Michigan," the local sheriff's office stated in an emergency alert. The Branch County Sheriff's Office expressed condolences in a statement, saying: "Our thoughts are with those who lost family, friends and property during this incident."
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Friday evening that the state's emergency operations centre would be activated to coordinate a comprehensive response to the severe weather across the southwest of the state. "I want to thank all the emergency workers on the ground who acted quickly to keep the people of Michigan safe," Whitmer wrote on X.
